Lobster trap



Apr. 3,1923. y1,450,682

y C. L. KEDDY LOBSTER TRAP Filed oct 1e, 1919 Patented Apr. 3, 19723.

v tJNl'rf f oLIrFoRD L. KELDY, ork LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, AssIGNoaor ONE-HALF 'ro WILLIAM A. Fern, or wEL'cIIvILLE, MAINE..

LOBSTER- TRAP;

vcomparatively large, heavy. and clumsy so that it was inconvenientto transport, liandle, or store the same, particularly any considerable number thereof. That is, as lobster traps have heretofore been constructed a lobsterman attending to his traps and using a dory, as is usually the practice, could carry with him in hisboat only a very few traps owing to the large amount ofroom oocupied by each trap. Moreover, such traps have usually been made from wooden slats and were therefore heavy and diiiicult to handle, particularly after they had become watersoaked. The main object of my invention is to provide a light, inexpensive, and efficient lobster trap which can be knocked down or collapsed so that a greater number of traps can be carried in an ordinary dory than has heretofore been possible, 'and so that traps of this kind can be more conveniently stored and handled than has been the case with. lobster traps as heretofore constructed. It is also the object of my invention to generally improve the construction of lobster traps so as to make them more efficient, lighter and stronger.

To these ends my invention consists of a lobster trap having the peculiar features of construction and mode of operationr set forth in the following description and particularly pointed out and defined in the claims at the close thereof. s

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedv lobster trap.

Figure 2 is a section on line2-2 of Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a section on line '6 3 of Fig; 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4- of Fig. 3'.

Figure 5 is a view like Fig. 3, showing the trap in its collapsed condition.

:My improved lobster ktrap compriseswa base frame 1 of rectangular'form having four side bars 2, 2 and 3, anda centrally disposed bar 4 from which latter a plurality of slats or bars 5 extendV to thei side bars' 2, 2.y This base frame or grid lmay befmade from any suitable material but. preferably is a light metal casting. f

Pivotally lconnected with each side bar near the ends of' the latter is a side frame 6 consisting, preferably, of a metal bar bent into a bail-like shape and having its ends coiled loosely around the side bar 2 so that it can swing pivotally thereon. To each bail-shaped side frame 6 and the adjacent side bar 2 is fastened a side wall 7 of strong netting or the like while a top wall 8 of similar material is fastened' at its edges to the side bars land also to the bail-shaped frames 6. The top wall 8 is vmade with openings 9, 9 for the entrance. and removal of the lobsters.

When the trap is in use its upright walls l 6--7 are held in their extended positions shown in Fig. 1 by a brace 10 and two stay cords 11, 11. The brace 10 consists of two rigid bars 12 and 13, which may be made from wood, said bars being permanently pivotally connected by a bolt 14 and formed with registering holes 15 to receive a pin 16 by means of whichthe bars Vare locked in extended relation. bar 12 and 13 is made with a notch or socket y17 to. receive the adjacent wall frame 6.

Eachntie cord 11 is fastened at one end to the upper portion of one ofthe wall framesy the pointed end of the spike 18 prevents `the bait from being lost fromv the spike. This loop 20 can be slid lengthwise of cord 11. y

When it is desired to collapsethe trap the pin 16 is withdrawn from the brace 10 thus allowing the latter to be folded up on the The outer end of each A loop 20 loosely surrounding the cord'll and pivot 14, after Which the Walls can be folded down onto the base frame 1,'the brace 10 being placed Within the structure. When 1n this collapsed' condition the structure occupies very little space and a greater number of traps can be stored ina given space than has been possible with lobster traps as heretofore constructed. Moreover, the structure is light, strong,` and eilicient as a trap, the metal frames being, of course, very durable andthe Walls 7 and 8 being easily replaced When Worn out.

What I claim is:

l. A lobster trap comprising a base; two Walls pivotally connected with opposite sides of said base; a top Wall of open ieXible maa terial fastened at its edges to said base and to Said pivotally connected Walls; a removable brace for the upper portions of said pivotally connected Walls, and flexible ties each secured at one end to the upper part o one of said pivotally connected Walls and at its opposite end to said base at the opposite side of the structure.

2. A lobster trap comprising a base; two Walls pivotally connected With opposite sides of said base; a top Wall of netting fastened at its edges to said base and to said pivotally connected Walls; a removable brace engaging the upper port-ionsvof said pivotally connected Walls, and`ties for holding said pivotally connected Walls against said brace.

In testimony whereof l have aflixed my signature.

i CLIFFORD L. KEDDY. 

